Each year certainly has its ups
and downs. We did experience some losses this year: our 16 year old cat “Baby”,
our beloved pastor and friend who married us, and Kathy’s step-grandfather.
However, below are some positive
highlights that we were so blessed with as well.
Jan - We got pregnant! (Yes, it was planned. Prayed over. Involved
lots of paranoid testing due to our age.)
Feb - Visited family in Texas and found the cave pictographs we had
been hunting, discovered I can still do cartwheels and act like a big kid when
around my brothers kids. ;)
Apr - Learned we were having a girl and got to hear her little
heartbeat. Paul & Bernice were generous enough to take us with them to Oahu
for a week for one last horrah before the baby arrived. Lots of memories and
pictures to enjoy for years till we can potentially make it back to Hawaii
again.
May - “Baby brain” sets in while we pulled together a family
reunion camping weekend over Memorial Day and Jonathan’s birthday. So much fun
to hang out at our favorite camp spot and just enjoy nature with some of our
favorite people.
Jun - Visited both sides of the family in Walla Walla and Coos Bay.
Such a treat to see the fatherly side to my brother and Jonathans brother, as
well as get to see all the kids growing up so fast.
July - Took in our first symphony together (Distant Worlds music
from Final Fantasy), got rid of extra big pieces of furniture, baby proofing
the condo, and renovating our tub and shower. Jonathan started picking up more
of the housework as the third
trimester hit.
trimester hit.
Aug - Experienced lots of movement in the belly! Baby Shower hosted
by Bernice (Jonathan’s mom) and one of my best friends, so much fun and we were
so blessed with such a loving community gathering!
Sep - Hurried to complete our renovations and storage adjustments
in anticipation of the little ones arrival. Celebrated 7 years of marriage.
Oct - Our oldest nephew, Dez, became an official adult making us
feel our age even more. Jonathan experienced another blood clot scare, which we
are grateful to have caught in time to only need a few weeks of blood thinner
shots. Finally, our own bundle of joy, Serena Desiree, was born on Oct 28! We were blessed with a healthy little
girl, quick delivery and an uneventfully healthy pregnancy.
Nov - Lots of family came to town to visit the new arrival, oh
yeah, and for Thanksgiving. ;)
Dec - Christmas went by in a blur but we got to see more family
again and we are super late with cards and gifts and such!
Even
amid our losses, Jesus promise of peace (John 14:27) during our pregnancy still
rings true and is the reason we named our daughter Serena. We are so thankful
for her and the joy and peace she has already brought into our lives. As we
begin the New Year with a little less sleep and a lot more love in our home --
we want to wish you a happy, healthy, loving and fulfilling 2016.
